By Zephyria 
A word mixed with a sigh.
But unfortunately, whether Kim Ju-won was really innocent or not, it was a clear fact that the current situation was caused by him.
However, Ki Jae-eon decided not to bother thinking about ‘what wish Kim Ju-won made.’ Frankly, his innocence didn’t mean much to Ki Jae-eon. It was no use arguing about right and wrong now. The important thing was not to unravel the tangled emotions. It was to quickly and swiftly attack the Wish Eater and overcome the current situation.
That’s right. That was the important thing.
More than Kim Ju-won hating him…
More than the belief that he thought was a friend being shattered…
“It… doesn’t matter. But you have to, take responsibility.”
Kim Ju-won flinched for a moment at Ki Jae-eon’s firm answer, then nodded silently.
He knew it himself. That his misguided inferiority had driven his precious village and loved ones to their deaths. I know. Kim Ju-won picked up the fallen Rosary.
“Don’t worry. I’ll solve it even if it costs me my life.”
“…No.”
“……?”
Ki Jae-eon slowly scanned Kim Ju-won.
Disheveled hair and torn clothes in places. Presumably, after summoning the Wish Eater, he realized that the situation was going differently from what he had thought and tried to solve it alone somehow. But if it was a problem that could be solved by Kim Ju-won, it wouldn’t have come to this point. In other words, it’s not something that can be solved with just will.
Yes, it would be impossible.
‘Alone…’
Ki Jae-eon sensed [me] trying to move again. The attack will probably come in a short time.
‘Time is running out.’
Ki Jae-eon grabbed Kim Ju-won’s wounded hand while being wary of his surroundings. Whether he was surprised by the sudden skinship or by the cold temperature, he heard an irregular breathing sound.
There were already scabs in some places among the deep wounds. Ki Jae-eon gently stroked his wounds with his thumb. …Hey, hey, what. A stiff voice flowed from Kim Ju-won. He also gave strength as if trying to pull his hand out. But he didn’t let go. Kim Ju-won looked slightly surprised at Ki Jae-eon’s stronger grip than he thought.
“I, I.”
“……”
“I can’t, can’t speak as eloquently as you.”
He was well aware that he wasn’t good with words himself. So he wouldn’t bother adding anything unnecessary.
“…But.”
He would just convey his sincere feelings at the moment.
“I need you.”
Whatever wish he made to the Wish Eater, whether he was qualified as an Exorcist or not… at this moment, he needed Kim Ju-won.
‘…No, not just this moment.’
He would continue to need Kim Ju-won in the future.
At least, the main office would.
Kim Ju-won, not Ki Jae-eon, needed to be there.
“Everyone… ke, kept waiting.”
“……”
“So… you have to ta, take responsibility. Everyone be, believes in Kim Ju-won.”
The sin of looking down on everyone’s love.
There was only one way to repay it.
“Let’s… go back together.”
Save them!
Ki Jae-eon finished speaking and immediately burst his wound open with his fingernails. Kim Ju-won winced at the sudden sting. Red blood welled up, breaking through the scab. Seeing this, Ki Jae-eon placed his already tattered thumb, bitten several times, on the wound and slowly began to rub it in. Soon, the blood of the two men mixed thickly.
“People can’t, can’t hold on until the third bell rings.”
The only other way to eliminate the Wish Eater was to fulfill its wish. But.
“I have no in, intention of dying.”
“It’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t make that kind of wish…!”
Ugh! His thumb mercilessly dug into the wound as if telling him to be quiet. Kim Ju-won raised an eyebrow at the unexpected temper and looked at Ki Jae-eon. He pretended not to notice and opened his mouth.
“So, ju, just… kill it, ki, kill it.”
He made a violent statement with the appearance of a non-violent person.
“But there’s no record of eliminating a Wish Eater…”
“I can do it.”
Kim Ju-won paused. He swallowed hard at the calm assurance that he could eliminate it. In fact, he had already skimmed through many documents before summoning the Wish Eater. Various details were written down, but nowhere could he find any record of the Wish Eater being destroyed. It was even a monster that the summoner couldn’t freely eliminate except by [1) fulfilling the wish] or [2) ringing the bell three times].
But Ki Jae-eon was certain. His eyes weren’t lying.
The funny thing was that for some reason, he felt like he really could do it. He had a premonition that Ki Jae-eon would create an unprecedented new record. Kim Ju-won smiled bitterly and was about to accept reality when Ki Jae-eon took his blood-soaked finger away and drew a ‘Blood Bow’ in the air.
“……!!”
He created a weapon comparable to a Mystical Instrument without any prior preparation? Crazy bastard. He realized once again that the surrounding environment and conditions meant nothing to Ki Jae-eon, just like during the Divine Rite.
“Ju, just one shot.”
Ki Jae-eon went behind Kim Ju-won and naturally took a stance. It looked like Kim Ju-won was leading and holding the bow, while Ki Jae-eon was supporting him. The arrow was aimed directly at the Wish Eater. Only then did Kim Ju-won realize his intention and opened his mouth in shock.
‘The way to get rid of the Wish Eater is to just beat it up?’
It wasn’t some special… like, sophisticated method, but just beating it up out of the blue? What kind of ignorant bastard was this!
But before Kim Ju-won could raise any objections, Ki Jae-eon uttered one word, “Follow me,” and began to chant a long spirit chant. In the end, Kim Ju-won had no choice but to follow him. He thought that if it was Ki Jae-eon, he would somehow manage it. But the level of the spirit chant was too high. It didn’t allow for even the smallest mistake. If he missed a single word, the power would immediately backfire and stab him deep in the lungs. Shit, was that what he meant by ‘follow me’? Kim Ju-won barely swallowed the swear words he wanted to spit out and focused on each word, following Ki Jae-eon’s lead. It was the most fucked up spirit chant he had ever recited. Each syllable was burdensome and difficult, but… he couldn’t give up because of the feeling that Ki Jae-eon, who was close behind him, was ‘supporting’ him.
They say perseverance opens up the future.
As he concentrated, feeling like he was pouring out all of his spiritual power, he saw a great light slowly filling the Blood Bow. The buzzing vibration brought with it a strange tension and excitement. Small goosebumps rose, and he began to believe that he could do it.
It was at that moment.
“Hold on.”
With those quiet words whispered in his ear, Ki Jae-eon’s hand slipped away.
“…Ugh?!”
The Blood Bow instantly became heavy.
What had been as light as a feather became as heavy as a rock.
He barely managed to hold on to it, trembling. He could hear his teeth grinding together as he clenched them tightly. Oh, shit. A thick vein bulged on Kim Ju-won’s forehead. It was an amazing level of difference. As soon as Ki Jae-eon’s help disappeared, the weight increased tenfold. He understood painfully why he had told him to ‘hold on’. The Blood Bow, filled with light, was filled with the divinity of Ki Jae-eon and Kim Ju-won, so it was impossible to maintain it with his power alone.
But he had to hold on.
-‘You have to take responsibility.’
Because everyone believed in him.
Yes, that’s right. I have to take responsibility.
Now was not the time to be weak. He had experienced his incompetence enough. Hadn’t he reached the very depths of that abyss? So let’s stop now. He was tired of even lamenting. Kim Ju-won straightened his back, putting strength into his faltering legs.
‘Self-pity… is too boring.’
The beliefs that had been erased were being re-engraved in his heart, stroke by stroke.
The moment he realized it again, he seemed to hear a small laugh from the flute at his waist. And the Blood Bow, which had felt so heavy, became a little lighter. His spiritual power had increased. No, the divine spirit dwelling in the Mystical Instrument had lent him its power. The divine spirit that had been tormenting Kim Ju-won had acknowledged his will.
He gained confidence.
“A mere creature makes a desperate request-!”
Kim Ju-won raised the corners of his lips and continued the remaining spirit chant.
For the best moment that was soon to come.